The cartridge issue was the immediate cause of 1857, but broader discontent was created by what?

Correct answer: Political annexations, economic pressure and military discrimination

Correct answer: C, political annexations, economic pressure and military discrimination. The cartridge controversy acted as an immediate trigger, but it did not create all the dissatisfaction by itself. Before 1857, many rulers and political groups resented British annexation policies and the loss of territories or authority. Economic pressures affected peasants, landlords, artisans and other groups in different ways. Indian soldiers also experienced service-related grievances and discrimination within the colonial army. These political, economic and military causes created a wider background of distrust; the cartridge issue then helped turn that discontent into open revolt. Climate change alone cannot explain the rebellion. European trade alone is too narrow and does not cover political and military grievances. Railway tickets were unrelated to the broad causes. Memory cue: separate the trigger from the background—cartridges triggered the uprising, but several grievances prepared the ground.